Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- politically charged
- tense
- political film night
- history-focused viewing
What critics said
Critics recognized the importance of the Knight Ridder reporters' story and praised some performances, but broadly found the execution derivative, mechanistic, and dramatically inert.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel, and John Walcott pursue evidence that contradicts the administration's public case for invading Iraq.
The reporters uncover cherry-picked intelligence and misleading claims linking Saddam Hussein to 9/11.
The central action follows Knight Ridder journalists investigating sources, competing coverage, and editorial decisions.
The story begins with the September 11 attacks and traces the public and governmental response toward the Iraq War.
Films like Shock and Awe, and why
Spotlight
investigative journalism, institutional obstruction, and tense post-9/11 political accountability
The Post
true-story newsroom drama centered on reporting, government pressure, and contested public narratives
Official Secrets
political thriller about intelligence manipulation and the consequences of official deception
State of Play
journalists confronting state power and wartime propaganda in a fact-based drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Rob Reiner
- Release Date
- 2017-12-09
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (207)
Cast
- Woody Harrelson
- James Marsden
- Rob Reiner
- Tommy Lee Jones
- Jessica Biel
- Milla Jovovich
- Richard Schiff
- Luke Tennie
- Terence Rosemore
- Margo Moorer
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shock and Awe about?
- Knight Ridder reporters risk professional isolation to expose how manipulated intelligence helped propel the United States toward the Iraq War.
- What is Shock and Awe like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shock and Awe as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Shock and Awe violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Shock and Awe as moderate.
- What did critics think of Shock and Awe?
- Critics recognized the importance of the Knight Ridder reporters' story and praised some performances, but broadly found the execution derivative, mechanistic, and dramatically inert.
- Which films are like Shock and Awe?
- Films with a similar feel include Spotlight, The Post, Official Secrets, and State of Play.
- How long is Shock and Awe?
- Shock and Awe runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shock and Awe?
- In United States, Shock and Awe streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
